Erase Hate Campaign

About This Campaign

Whether it be an upcoming wedding/commitment ceremony, anniversary, birthday, graduation party, or a personal milestone—you can transform your event into a pledge of support for the Matthew Shepard Foundation’s longstanding mission to Erase Hate.

The progress we have made toward achieving true equality isn’t possible without partnerships from individuals like you who are passionate about creating lasting change in your communities. Support the Matthew Shepard Foundation by creating your own campaign to Erase Hate. Personalize your campaign by sharing your story alongside Matt's while encouraging others to join the cause. All donations made through your campaign will directly support the work of the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

In a diverse approach to Erase Hate, the Foundation focuses its efforts ranging anywhere from theater stages and local law enforcement agencies, to online resource centers and embassies around the world.

On October 7, 1998, Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old student at the University of Wyoming, was brutally attacked and tied to a fence in a field outside of Laramie, Wyo. and left to die. On October 12, Matt succumbed to his wounds in a hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado.

In the aftermath of Matt’s death, Judy and Dennis Shepard started the Matthew Shepard Foundation to honor his life and aspirations. Because of the tragedy endured by the Shepards, the beginning principle of the Foundation was to teach parents with children who may be questioning their sexuality to love and accept them for who they are, and to not throw them away.